Seeking Manchester - People's History Museum

Manchester is my second home here in England, but I rarely get to see Manchester. I typically just see the 'in-laws' and there's not much to do because it's a holiday. I finally had the chance to go up there with no tea time obligations and had a wander around the city.

I love it there because so much of the city reminds me of Cleveland, where I'm from.

The Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, OH - 2009

OK - so that is a bit of a glamour shot of Cleveland, but let me tell you, it's quite an industrial town. So much so that the river before your eyes once caught fire in the 70s due to all of the pollution from the factories along the river over the century.

None-the-less, walking around my Northern home, was a great escape from busy city life down here in the South and I spent hours walking around the People's History Museum.  If you have the chance, I highly recommend you go there for a vist.  I'm not much of an art museum kind of person, and I like to see exhibitions that are a bit different like when I visited the Canal Museum in London or the Fishing 'museum' (it was a room, so that term is used lightly) in Brighton.  PHM was a nice combination of history and political issues that workers faced at different points in England. They had some great political cartoons that had been used to win the working man's vote and later the working woman's vote and an entire section on banners that people carry during protests or for unions etc.  Interesting I suppose, if banners are your thing.

I learned a nice deal about 1819 Massacre (Peterloo) where 15 people died during a peaceful protest in MCR for the right to vote as working citizens. Also heard for the first time, 'phossy jaw' which little girls got while working in the matchstick factories and the phosphorus began to deterioratie the bones in their jaw. I got really happy when I reached the part about the NHS coming about in the late 40s and wondered, WTF we were up to in America that we STILL haven't sorted it out today.  And finally, I understood why football is on Saturdays - due to their work weeks being 6 days, but later granted a half-day Saturday so that's when people went out and had fun. I even saw a few clips from the 1923 Bolton v West Ham FA Cup Final.

View of the River Irwell

How long have we been fighting against sweatshops?

This was lolz to me

Different year, same argument.

That's a big promise to make. I swear I've heard this claim before tho...

A really powerful image of police 'authority' taking it too far.
She was helping a man who was hit by the police during a riot

Mega-lulz

OMG I WISH!!!

Arsenal FC, by far the greatest team

This is going to be a risky post for me as everything is against me; I'm American, I'm a girl, I love Arsenal.  I suppose this means the only football I know requires 250lbs guys in padding to smash each other, that the concept of offside is beyond me, and that I support a team that doesn't know how to win.

I'll let you slide with those accusations for now...

You see, I'm from Ohio and there's not a city in Ohio where you can escape good 'ole all-American sports, even hockey is there. But more importantly, I'm from Cleveland and losing is something we do far too well. Cleveland Indians for baseball, Cleveland Browns for football, Cleveland Cavaliers for basketball.  In fact, we're so well-known for losing that Hollywood made a film about our baseball team.

Yea come back and talk to me about a 'losing team' when you have one of those under your belt. Arsenal is not what I would consider a failed team by any means. 

Although Cleveland may have some of the worst teams in the history of every sport, we also have some of the best, most devoted, possibly delusional, but respectful fans I have ever met.  There's a strong sense of loyalty with our teams, and also a sense of respect for when the better man wins. I appreciate this in sports, because it reflects in our teams as well.

Today I came across this statement that Samir Nasri made about Jack Wilshere for tonight's friendly against Denmark:

"He plays with guts as you say in England. I like him as a player because he always tries to play forward."

It might not seem that bold of a statement, but I feel it's a rarity in English sports - compliments from teammates.  And who's to blame them, really, when some players decide that another player's Missus is to be shared like a buffet dinner?

The thing is, I like the way Arsenal plays the game.  Not just out on the pitch, but mentally and with each other outside of training.  Something about their presence is all too familiar of our teams back in Ohio.  I think it takes more to make a 'great' team than just having a trophy in the cabinet.  It takes companionship, respect, and treating each as your own brother.  I'm sure it's not as rosey of a picture as I'm painting when they get to the dressing rooms or off the pitch, but whatever it is they leave it to the side.  They play the game as best they can and let the media see only what needs to be seen.

So when someone asks why I support a 'losing' team such as Arsenal, I feel confident and proud to chant 'ooh to be a gooner' at them - because I know I am truly supporting the greatest team that I have ever seen....



And it's Aaaaarrrrseeeeeeeennnnnaaaaall